Pere Marquette Organized Group Camps

For the purpose of offering quality camping facilities
to large organized groups, Pere Marquette State Park operates three group
camps. Camp Potawatomi accom-modates 60 guests. Camp Piasa and Camp Ouatoga
will each accommodate 120. All three camps feature fully-equipped kitchens
and dining rooms, lighted sleeping cabins with cots and mattresses, and
restroom facilities with warm showers and flush toilets.

Camps Piasa
and Ouatoga each feature a kitchen/dining hall, staff house, cook’s
cabin, first aid building, and a swimming pool. The sleeping cabins at
each camp are situated in four units. A unit consists of seven sleeping
cabins, a restroom, and a unit lodge building. The unit lodges have electrical
outlets, a fireplace, and an outdoor water hydrant. Facilities in Camp
Piasa are handicap accessible.

Maps of the camps are available. Note: Some buildings may be closed due to structural damage.

RESERVATION
PROCEDURE

To apply for a group camp reservation,
groups must submit a completed application form, indicating one or more
choices of date and camp. Reservations will be allocated by daily lottery,
beginning on the first working day in January and continuing for as long
as dates are available. Applications are accepted by
mail only.

The first daily drawing will include applications
received on or prior to the first working day in January.

Groups may apply for a maximum of 14 consecutive
nights. Groups applying for a minimum of 6 consecutive nights will be
considered in the first daily drawing. Applications for overnight stays
of any length will be considered beginning with the second day. Day use
applications will be considered beginning April 1st.

If the requested dates are available the
applicant will be notified by mail. In order to confirm the reservation,
a $100 deposit will be required. Cancellations must be made at least 30
days prior to the camping date, or the deposit is not refundable. If a
reservation is not canceled, the group will be responsible for at least
a minimum fee for each night reserved.

Only one application per group outing is
accepted. If multiple applications are submitted by individual group members,
the applications will be rejected.

FEES

The camping fee is $4 per person per night,
with a minimum charge of $100 per night, payable at the end of the group’s
stay. A deposit of $100 is required at the time a reservation is confirmed.
An inspection of the camp will be conducted
upon the group’s departure. If this reveals no damage beyond normal
use, the deposit will be refunded. If intentional or unreasonable damage
occurs, the deposit may be retained, as well as additional charges assessed,
if warranted.

If day use is available, the fee is $50.

DATES
& HOURS

OF
OPERATION

Tentative dates the camps will be open in 2011 are May 27 through Ocotber 23rd.

For overnight stays, check-in time is 2:00
PM, check-out time is 12:00 noon.

Day use hours are 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Swimming pools are open from Memorial Day
weekend through Labor Day weekend.

GENERAL
INFORMATION

* The kitchens and dining halls are
equipped with ample refrigeration and cooking facilities, utensils, tableware,
and seating for the capacity of the camp.

* Cots and mattresses are furnished. Bedding,
towels, etc. should be brought from home.

* Firewood is not provided. Picking up
or cutting downed limbs for firewood is permitted, but standing trees
may not be cut or damaged.

*Brooms
and mops are provided. Facilities are
to be left in the same condition as they are found. It is requested
that floors be swept and mopped, dishes be washed, and kitchen equipment
be left reasonably clean. The grounds must be left free of litter, and
any beds moved from one building to another MUST be returned to their
original location before the group departs.

* Emergency telephones are provided at
the swimming pools. These phones will accept local calls only - local
emergency numbers are posted.

* A telephone is provided in the kitchen
at Camps Piasa and Ouatoga, but prior arrangements must be made with Grafton
Telephone Company for hookup. Contact them directly for more details,
at 618/786-3311.

A complete list of group camping regulations
is issued to all successful applicants. Violation of regulations or destruction
of park property will result in
loss of prepaid fees.

For information about our educational and
interpretative programs, or for general information about Pere Marquette
State Park and surrounding area, contact our Visitor Center at: 618/786-3323

or write to:

Pere
Marquette State Park

13112 Visitor Center Lane

Grafton,
IL 62037

Equal opportunity to participate in programs
of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and those funded by the
US Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individuals
regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion, or
other non-merit factors. If you believe you have been discriminated against,
contact the funding source’s civil rights office and/or the Equal
Employemnt Opportunity Officer, IDNR, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield,
IL 62701; (217)785-0067 TTY (217) 782-9175.